Image processing method and apparatus, and image forming apparatus

Abstract

An image processing and image forming system inputs multivalued image data having a resolution of 300×300 dpi, converts the resolution of the data to a higher resolution of 600×1200 dpi and forms an image. In a memory, pattern data corresponding to image data of a predetermined color is stored in advance. When color data, image data (code) and data corresponding to an image forming position are input to the memory as an address, the memory outputs pattern data stored at that address. By selectively outputting the pattern data read from the memory in accordance with the forming position, color image data whose resolution has been converted is output to form an image.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An image processing apparatus for performing processing on inputted image data and generating data to be used by an output apparatus, comprising: transfer means for storing the inputted image data and serially transferring the data in synchronization with a shift clock, wherein the output apparatus outputs an image in synchronism with the shift clock;   conversion means for converting the inputted image data transferred by said transfer means, wherein said conversion means converts image data of low density into image data of high density in two dimensional directions;   count means for counting the shift clock to determine an output position of an image by the output apparatus;   selection means for selecting the data converted by said conversion means in two dimensional directions, plural times, based on a count value counted by said count means; and   output means for outputting the data selected by said selection means to the output apparatus.   
     
     
       2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inputted image data is multivalued data. 
     
     
       3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said conversion means comprises a memory for inputting at least the inputted image data transferred by said transfer means as an address and outputting converted data corresponding to the address; and bit-position change means for changing a position of a bit outputted from the memory.   
     
     
       4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inputted image data includes data for plural colors, and each of the data for plural colors is multivalued image data. 
     
     
       5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein image data converted by said conversion means is pseudo-halftone image data of the inputted image data. 
     
     
       6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said output apparatus is an image forming apparatus, and said selection means selects pixel data in correspondence with a pixel position formed by the image forming apparatus. 
     
     
       7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said output apparatus is a printer and said selection means selects pixel data in correspondence with a pixel position to be printed by a printhead of the printer. 
     
     
       8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said conversion means comprises a decode circuit for generating binary data in accordance with the multivalued image data at least transferred by said transfer means. 
     
     
       9. An image processing method of performing processing on inputted image data and generating data to be used by an output apparatus, comprising: a transferring step of storing the inputted image data and serially transferring the inputted image data in synchronization with a shift clock, wherein the output apparatus outputs an image in synchronism with the shift clock;   a converting step of converting the inputted image data transferred in said transferring step, wherein the inputted image data of low density is converted into image data of high density in two dimensional directions;   a counting step of counting the shift clock to determine an output position of an image by the output apparatus;   a selection step of selecting the data converted in said converting step in two dimensional directions, plural times, based on a count value obtained in said counting step; and   an outputting step of outputting the data selected in said selection step to the output apparatus.   
     
     
       10. The image processing method according to claim 9, wherein the inputted image data is multivalued data. 
     
     
       11. The image processing method according to claim 9, wherein the inputted image data includes data for plural colors, and each of the data for plural colors is multivalued image data. 
     
     
       12. The image processing method according to claim 9, wherein image data converted in said converting step is pseudo-halftone image data of the inputted image data. 
     
     
       13. The image processing method according to claim 9, wherein said output apparatus is an image forming apparatus, and in said selection step, pixel data is selected in correspondence with a pixel position formed by the image forming apparatus. 
     
     
       14. The image processing method according to claim 9, wherein said output apparatus is a printer and in said selection step, pixel data is selected in correspondence with a pixel position to be printed by a printhead of the printer. 
     
     
       15. An image forming apparatus for forming an image by performing processing on inputted image data, comprising: transfer means for storing the inputted image data and serially transferring the data in synchronization with a shift clock, wherein the image forming apparatus forms an image in synchronism with the shift clock;   conversion means for converting the inputted image data transferred by said transfer means, wherein said conversion means converts image data of low density into image data of high density in two dimensional directions;   count means for counting the shift clock to determine an image forming Position by the image forming apparatus;   selection means for selecting the data converted by said conversion means in two dimensional directions, plural times, based on a count value counted by said count means; and   image forming means for forming an image based on the data selected by said selection means.   
     
     
       16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the inputted image data is multivalued data. 
     
     
       17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said conversion means comprises a memory for inputting at least the inputted image data transferred by said transfer means as an address and outputting converted data corresponding to the address; and bit-position change means for changing a position of a bit outputted from the memory.   
     
     
       18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the inputted image data includes data for plural colors, and each of the data for plural colors is multivalued image data. 
     
     
       19. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the converted data is pseudo-halftone image data of the inputted image data. 
     
     
       20. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said image forming apparatus is a printer and said selection means selects pixel data in correspondence with a pixel position to be printed by a printhead of the printer. 
     
     
       21. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said conversion means comprises a decode circuit for generating binary data in accordance with the inputted image data at least transferred by said transferring means. 
     
     
       22. The image forming apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the printhead of the printer is an ink-jet head which discharges ink by utilizing heat energy. 
     
     
       23. An image processing apparatus for processing input image data and generating data used by an output apparatus having a plurality of recording elements being arranged in a first direction, the apparatus comprising: transfer means for storing the input image data and serially transferring the input image data in synchronization with a shift clock, wherein the output apparatus outputs an image in synchronism with the shift clock;   conversion means for converting the input image data transferred by said transfer means, wherein said conversion means converts image data of low density into image data of high density in a second direction being different from the first direction;   count means for counting the shift clock to determine an output position of an image by the output apparatus;   selection means for selecting the data converted in the second direction by said conversion means, plural times, based on a count value counted by said count means; and   output means for outputting the data selected by said selection means to the output apparatus.   
     
     
       24. An image processing method of processing input image data and generating data used by an output apparatus having a plurality of recording elements being arranged in a first direction, the method comprising: a transfer step of storing the input image data and serially transferring the input image data in synchronization with a shift clock, wherein the output apparatus outputs an image in synchronism with the shift clock;   a conversion step of converting the input image data transferred by said transfer step, wherein said conversion step converts image data of low density into image data of high density in a second direction being different from the first direction;   a count step of counting the shift clock to determine an output position of an image by the output apparatus;   a selection step of selecting the data converted in the second direction by said conversion step, plural times, based on a count value counted by said count step; and   an output step of outputting the data selected by said selection step to the output apparatus.   
     
     
       25. A storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to perform an image processing method of processing input image data and generating data used by an output apparatus having a plurality of recording elements being arranged in a first direction, the method comprising: a transfer step of storing the input image data and serially transferring the input image data in synchronization with a shift clock, wherein the output apparatus outputs an image in synchronism with the shift clock;   a conversion step of converting the input image data transferred by said transfer step, wherein said conversion step converts image data of low density into image data of high density in a second direction being different from the first direction;   a count step of counting the shift clock to determine an output position of an image by the output apparatus;   a selection step of selecting the data converted in the second direction by said conversion step, plural times, based on a count value counted by said count step; and   an output step of outputting the data selected by said selection to the output apparatus.